The news images of Afghans fleeing for their lives concerned all Americans.
For two churches in the Permian Basin, concern led to prayer, which led to action.
Connection Christian Church in Odessa and First Christian Church in Midland are sister churches in their denomination, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
They called the International Rescue Committee office in Abilene and learned that they are receiving 115 refugees to resettle in West Texas this month. That’s when the churches sprang into action.
“Jesus himself was a refugee, fleeing from a tyrannical ruler in Matthew chapter 2. Egypt took the holy family in to protect them during that time. So in following Jesus, we try to keep an eye out for refugees that remind us of him,” Connection Christian Pastor Dawn Weaks said.
During all of October, the churches have been collecting new hygiene and cleaning supplies such as toiletries, paper towels, and spray cleaners for the refugees. This Sunday after worship at 1:30 p.m., the two churches will bring supplies from the two cities and meet in the middle, at the 191 Cross. There they will have a brief service of prayer for the refugees together. After the supplies are blessed, church members will take the truckloads to Abilene.
